Systems and methods for modulation and mapping of brain tissue using an ultrasound assembly
Inventors
Konofagou, Elisa E. • Samiotaki, Gesthimani
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12564735-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and systems for modulation and mapping of brain tissue in a subject using an ultrasound assembly are provided. An exemplary method for modulation uses an ultrasound assembly including a housing and an ultrasound transducer joined to the housing. The method includes securing the housing to the head of the subject with the ultrasound transducer aligned with a region of the brain tissue to target the region of the brain tissue for modulating, and providing focused ultrasound at an acoustic pressure to the targeted region using the ultrasound transducer to induce cavitation proximate the targeted region. The method further includes detecting a cavitation signal magnitude from the induced cavitation corresponding to the acoustic pressure and modulating the targeted region.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention is a method for modulation of brain tissue in a head of a subject using a wearable ultrasound assembly having a housing secured to the head and an ultrasound transducer joined to the housing. The transducer is aligned with a region of the brain tissue to target the region for modulating, and the targeting is performed based on neuronavigation. Focused ultrasound is provided at an acoustic pressure to the targeted region to induce cavitation proximate to the targeted region.
The invention detects a cavitation signal magnitude from the induced cavitation corresponding to the acoustic pressure, and maps the cavitation signal magnitude. The method compares the cavitation signal magnitude to a threshold cavitation signal magnitude. The method modulates the targeted region to a predetermined target value while cavitation signal magnitude is prevented from exceeding the threshold cavitation signal magnitude.
The predetermined target value corresponds to at least one of an acoustic pressure and an opening volume of the brain tissue. A system is also disclosed having the ultrasound assembly, a passive cavitation detector, and one or more processors configured to target the region based on neuronavigation, map and compare the cavitation signal magnitude to the threshold, and modulate the targeted region to the predetermined target value without exceeding the threshold.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains two independent claims: one method claim and one system claim. Each independent claim includes core inventive features centered on neuronavigation-based targeting, cavitation signal magnitude detection and mapping, comparison to a threshold, and modulation to a predetermined target value corresponding to acoustic pressure and/or opening volume.
Neuro-navigation-targeted focused ultrasound modulation with passive cavitation threshold control
A method for modulation of brain tissue using a housing secured to the head and an ultrasound transducer aligned to a neuronavigation-targeted region, providing focused ultrasound at an acoustic pressure to induce cavitation proximate to the targeted region, detecting and mapping cavitation signal magnitude, comparing the cavitation signal magnitude to a threshold cavitation signal magnitude, and modulating the targeted region to a predetermined target value without cavitation signal magnitude exceeding the threshold, where the predetermined target value corresponds to at least one of an acoustic pressure and an opening volume of the brain tissue.
Neuronavigation-based cavitation-mapped focused ultrasound system with threshold-limited modulation
A system for modulation of brain tissue comprising an ultrasound assembly with a housing secured to the head and an ultrasound transducer providing focused ultrasound at an acoustic pressure to a neuronavigation-targeted region to induce cavitation proximate to the targeted region, a passive cavitation detector detecting cavitation signal magnitude corresponding to the acoustic pressure, and one or more processors configured to map the cavitation signal magnitude and compare it to a threshold cavitation signal magnitude, and to modulate the targeted region to a predetermined target value without cavitation signal magnitude exceeding the threshold, where the predetermined target value corresponds to at least one of an acoustic pressure and an opening volume of the brain tissue.
Across both independent claims, the inventive coverage is defined by neuronavigation-based targeting, inducing cavitation with focused ultrasound, detecting and mapping cavitation signal magnitude using a passive cavitation detector, comparing the cavitation signal magnitude to a threshold, and modulating to a predetermined target value linked to acoustic pressure and/or opening volume while preventing exceeding the threshold cavitation signal magnitude.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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